Cola row: CSE presentation on Oct 9

Centre for Science and Environment, which alleged that soft drinks brands in India contain high levels of pesticides, is scheduled to make a detailed presentation before the Joint Parliamentary Committee, which will meet on October 9 and 10.

Also Read Soft drinks, hard truths

The JPC, set up to probe allegations of pesticides in soft drinks, has already expanded its ambit to cover all packed beverages including iced tea, juices and even alcohol during its initial meeting held last month.

"The presentation will broadly cover regulations prevailing worldwide for water and finished products and pesticide contamination in beverages," a CSE spokesperson told PTI adding the agency was slated to appear before the JPC members on October 10.

Last month, the 15-member JPC headed by NCP leader Sharad Pawar deliberated on the scope of its probe and is expected to suggest safety standards for ground water, one of the principal ingredients in manufacture of all beverages, sources said in New Delhi.

In its first meeting, the JPC witnessed presentations from two laboratories, which had earlier tested soft drink samples, the Central Food Laboratory and the Central Food Technological Reseacrh Institute, besides the one from Centre for Scientific and Industrial Research chief R A Mashelkar on the testing methodology used for detection of pesticides.

The JPC was set up in August this year to probe the reports of CSE that presence of high percentage of pesticide residues in Coca-Cola, Pepsi and ten other soft drink brands was harmful for health.